eDiets Success Stories

Wow, it is so difficult to capture the experience of my first Girlfriend’s Half Marathon in words, but it was a culmination of a year of being inspired by some of the most powerful women on earth.

I met Honu, Cathy and Jeanne at my first eDiets event in Ft. Lauderdale in 2006 and was especially touched when Honu and her table helped me set some realistic goals for stopping my work life from eating my home life that I still reflect on daily.

I was further inspired when I met Victoria, Carmen, Nancy, Robyn, Marcia, Janet, Debby, Lanie, Connie, Justin and so many others… at an eDiets commercial shoot in November of 2007.

I didn’t meet Tara until our most recent event in Ft. Lauderdale this past June, and I just met Vikki, Lynette, Pratima, Christine, Rashmi, Jan, Gail, Chaili, and David the day before and day of the race, but each of these people now hold a really special place in my heart, they are more than just women (and men), they are models. And not the Hollywood kind, but the good role model kind that you hope your kids will become. People to pattern ourselves on, the kind of people that give you lots of hope. They show you that it is not only possible, but beautiful when we are stronger than our circumstances and that something really magical happens when we support one another.

I had some serious doubts about this race throughout my training, but a growing sense of strength too. Arriving the day before in Portland exhausted and emotionally raw was probably not the best start, but standing on the starting line I felt excited and hopeful.

The camaraderie of the group was a huge lift. Starting off I talked way too much…all that nervous energy seemed to just pour out of my mouth and resulted in a bit of a cramp. Cathy politely suggested I zip my lip for a few blocks and that had remarkably positive results. Unable to chatter constantly allowed me to take in the beautiful surroundings and it was not long before the first loop back in the course gave us a surge of energy from seeing those runners at the front of the pack striving towards the next turn. The smiles and greetings were terrific, but just seeing their strong performance reinforced all that was possible.

I don’t remember when we started introducing a few steps walking or when my knees began to complain, but I do know during the second time the trail looped back on itself I saw both Lynette (who could not have put off more positive vibes), and a college friend I have not seen since our dorm room days together (I looked for her after the race and didn’t catch her, but how good to know that she is strong and well).

When I did need to begin to walk, I knew I was slowing Cathy down, so I encouraged her to keep running and she widened the gap ahead. Surrounded by some of the nicest strangers, I settled in to walking as fast as humanly possible and staring intently at my toes, completely in my own little world. My first glance up from my toes, I saw Cathy running back the wrong direction! She didn’t feel right without encouraging me along to the finish line.

Her very sweet gesture was just one of the many acts of kindness all around us. I have never felt more supported by such a broad base of women. The two first place runners, we learned later, joined hands and crossed together rather than nudging one another behind. Many runners were watching over others not running for their own time, but to be there in case of need.

At the finish line Janet was waiting with warm hugs and congratulations, and Carmen, Robyn, and Christine were there to greet us as well! This scene repeated as each of our teammates crossed the finish line that day, for many it was a first. The many volunteers were there to make sure we were fed, clothed, and even massaged (what a fabulous experience).

If it were possible for an embrace to take the form of a race this was it! Thank you all for the inspiration and experience - what a beautiful expression of strength, grace, and love!

Editor's Note: Since running the Girlfriend's Half Marathon last year, Kim admits that she hasn't run much since, and for a while let her exercise slack off. This spring and through the summer Kim was able to kick it up again, she says with the structure provided by our online challenges! For now, Kim is working her tail with the eDiets Best Body Boot Camp program and seeing amazing results! Pratima has since reached her goal and trained for a full marathon, Carmen and Christine have gone on to complete several more half's, Tara has reached her goal (story coming soon, stay tuned!), and Cathy has given the running a break to make a go at Powerlifting! Go ladies!

Start discovering "all that is possible" for yourself, and find the support and inspiration you need here with us.

Labels: eDiets-Meal-Plan, girlfriends, half marathon, inspiration, success-stories, support